The Ministry of Finance has reportedly expressed serious concern over smuggling of livestock to Iran and Afghanistan and wanted that Ministry of Food Security in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue and the Interior Ministry suggest measures to control the illegal export of livestock.
An official of the Ministry of Finance said the issue was discussed during the meeting of National Price Monitoring Committee presided over by the Special Secretary Finance, Rana Asad Amin with reference to rise in the beef and mutton prices in the domestic market. The members of the committee attributed the latest increase in the prices of beef and mutton to the smuggling of livestock in the neighbouring countries.
When contacted, a customs official said that the 'One-Customs Clearance System' has incorporated the facility to import ad export livestock with specified quota. So far, the 'One-Customs Clearance System' has not been used for the clearance of livestock. However, the necessary requirements have been incorporated in the customs clearance system, which could be used effectively for clearance of the live animals as per specified quota. Once the clearance of livestock has been made through the indigenously developed 'One-Customs Clearance System', it would eliminate possibility of export of livestock beyond prescribed quota. Beside customs, it is also the responsibility of the Frontier Constabulary and other law enforcement agencies to check illegal export of livestock.
Recently, Ministry of National Food Security and Research has approved quota for quarter-wise distribution of exportable animals to different countries particularly Iran and Afghanistan. Ministry of National Food Security and Research has approved the quarter-wise quota for export of animals during the calendar year 2012. Customs officials would allow export of animals as per admissible quota to Iran and Afghanistan. The quota has been fixed to ensure that smuggling of animals should not take place and only a specific quantity should be exported from customs stations near border areas.
The meeting noted with concern the increase in prices of beef and mutton in the domestic market and underlined the need to control livestock smuggling to neighbouring countries. While issuing the export license the route and quantity should be identified and to ensure satiability, the meeting wanted.
The meeting attended by the representatives of all the provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Ministry of Planning and Development, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Commerce, Food Security Division, Interior Division, Cabinet Division, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and Federal Board of Revenue also noted that prices of most of the items in Balochistan were higher relative to other provinces. The meeting underlined the need for market intelligence between the provinces and directed Food and Security Division to bring a workable plan in consultation with the provinces for sharing the market intelligence in order to address the prices disparities among provinces.